(Very) Old Meets New at Manuscripts Show in London

London

A trove of medieval- and Renaissance-era illuminated manuscripts, collected by the kings and queens of England between the 9th and 16th centuries, is on display in London.

“Royal Manuscripts: The Genius of Illumination,” running through March 13 at the British Library (96 Euston Road; bl.uk), is the first major exhibition to bring together the library’s royal collection. The 154 colorful and gilded handwritten books, some never before displayed, include genealogies, scientific works and accounts of coronations, as well as records of daily royal life.

A number of manuscripts were made for Henry VIII, including a choir book with several musical scores composed for the King.

“The Queen was most taken with them,” said Evie Jeffreys, the arts press officer for the library, speaking of Queen Elizabeth’s attendance at the exhibition’s opening earlier this month.

Other highlights include “The Shrewsbury Book,” a wedding present to Margaret of Anjou on her marriage to Henry VI in 1445, and a map drawn by a noted 13th-century historian detailing a pilgrimage route from London to Jerusalem.

A mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices was created by the library and Toura, a technology company, to coincide with the exhibition. High-resolution images, text and videos of expert commentary and analysis of 58 manuscripts are featured.